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Cameroon

Continent: Africa

Geography

People &
Society

Government

Economy

Energy

Communications

Military &
Security

Transportation

Terrorism

Transnational Issues
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Background

The former French Cameroon and part of British Cameroon merged in 1961 to form the present country. Cameroon has generally enjoyed stability, which has permitted the development of agriculture, roads, and railways, as well as a petroleum industry. Despite a slow movement toward democratic reform, political power remains firmly in the hands of an ethnic oligarchy headed by President Paul BIYA.

Location

Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria

Area Comparative

Slightly larger than California

Maritime Claims

Territorial sea: 50 nm

Climate
Varies with terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot in north

Natural Hazards

Volcanic activity with periodic releases of poisonous gases from Lake Nyos and Lake Monoun volcanoes

Environment Current Issues

Waterborne diseases are prevalent; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; poaching; overfishing

Environment International Agreements

Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94

Signed, but not ratified: None of the selected agreements

Geography Note

Sometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa; throughout the country there are areas of thermal springs and indications of current or prior volcanic activity; Mount Cameroon, the highest mountain in Sub-Saharan west Africa, is an active volcano
Year

Map Reference

  • Africa

Irrigated Land 2003

  • 260 sq km

Area 2006

  • Total
    475,440 sq km
  • Land
    469,440 sq km
  • Water
    6,000 sq km

Coastline

  • 402 km

Geographical Coordinates

  • 6 00 N, 12 00 E

Land use 2006

  • Arable Land
    12.54%
  • Permanent Crops
    2.52%
  • Other
    84.94%

Terrain

  • Diverse
  • With coastal plain in southwest
  • Dissected plateau in center
  • Mountains in west
  • Plains in north

Elevation

  • Lowest Point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
  • Highest Point: Fako 4,095 m (on Mt. Cameroon)

Land Boundaries

  • Total
    4,591 km
  • Central African Republic
    797 km
  • Chad
    1,094 km
  • Republic Of The Congo
    523 km
  • Equatorial Guinea
    189 km
  • Gabon
    298 km
  • Nigeria
    1,690 km

Natural Resources

  • Petroleum
  • Bauxite
  • Iron ore
  • Timber
  • Hydropower
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